September 30, 2020Volume 24, Issue 4 Guam CEDDERS Newsletter 
GDOE’s “Continuous Improvement Road Map for 
Improving Reading Achievement” Endures 


In this issue: 

Continuous Improvement Road Map ........ 1 
RAZ-Plus Blended Literacy Tools .............2-3 
GDOE Provides SSIP Support ...................... 4 
Parent Coaching Practices ........................... 5 
Group-Early Start Denver Model ................ 6 
Resource Journals.......................................... 7 
SpEd Coordinators Meetings....................... 8 
Palau Continues TA Virtually ....................... 9 
Meet and Greet............................................10 
Eight Scholars..............................................11 
EPICS Scholar Externship ..................... 12-13 
Tri-Agency Collaboration...........................14 
Lives Worth Living Film ..............................15 
Guam EHDI Partners Cont. Services.........16 
Webinars Offered to Community .............17 
UOG Social Work Professors......................17 
Project Bisita Needs Assessment..............18 
Features: GSAT .............................................19 
New Staff.......................................................20 


UNIVERSITY OF GUAM

 Center for Excellence in 
Developmental Disabilities 
Education, Research, and Service 

On August 5, SSIP core team members met to plan activities for the new school year. Top 
row, L-R: Nieves Flores, Consultant, Guam CEDDERS; Josephine Cruz, Associate Director, 
Guam CEDDERS; Darlene Castro, Principal, Chief Brodie Memorial Elementary; June Quitugua, 
Consultant, Guam CEDDERS, June De Leon, Interim Director, Guam CEDDERS; Bottom 
Row L-R: Debra Whitt, Training Associate, Guam CEDDERS; Rose Castro, Principal, J.M 
Guerrero Elementary; Natasha Dela Cruz, Principal, M.U. Lujan Elementary; Elias Taisipic, 
Acting Principal, Price Elementary; Terese Crisostomo, Special Projects Coordinator, GDOE 
Special Education Division. Not pictured: Joshua Blas, SSIP Project Director, GDOE Curriculum 
and Instruction Division. 

Despite the challenges brought forth by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Guam 
Department of Education’s (GDOE) State Systemic Improvement Project (SSIP) in 
partnership with Guam CEDDERS continues to provide technical assistance and 
support to the target schools in the area of reading achievement and evidence-
based practices. On August 5, a SSIP core team meeting was held to plan the next 
steps for the new school year. Activities for the new school year include assisting 
schools in using the district’s universal screener amid a virtual context to collect 
baseline and progress monitoring data; using evidence-based practices such as 
explicit instruction; using data to drive improvement models; and scaling up to 
include math content. The challenge for the upcoming school year is centered 
on meeting the needs of students through remote learning. However, despite 
the unprecedented challenges the new school year brings, the SSIP core team is 
equipped with grit and perseverance to meet the challenges. The SSIP core team 
is comprised of the following four SSIP principals and an assistant principal: Rose 
Castro from J.M. Guerrero Elementary, Darlene Castro from Chief Brodie Memorial 
Elementary, Natasha Dela Cruz from M.U. Lujan Elementary, Elias Tasipic from Price 
Elementary and Denise Tiamanglo, assistant principal from Price Elementary. Other 
team members include Terese Crisostomo, from GDOE Special Education Division, 
Joshua Blas, GDOE SSIP Project Director, and Guam CEDDERS consultants Nieves 
Flores and June Quitugua, and Guam CEDDERS staff June De Leon, Josephine 
Cruz, and Debra Whitt. 


GDOE Provides SSIP Schools with RAZ-Plus 
Blended Literacy Tools 


On August 4, SSIP teacher leaders attended a RAZ-Plus virtual training session. Pictured from top to bottom: Jennifer Nigh, Director for 
International Academics and Curriculum, Learning A-Z; Josephine Cruz, Associate Director, Guam CEDDERS. Not pictured: Debra Whitt, 
Training Associate, Guam CEDDERS; Kevin Behrens, Learning A-Z Representative, SmartEd Inc.; Dolores Cruz, teacher, M.U. Lujan Elementary. 


On August 4, 11, and 12, the Guam Department of Education 
(GDOE), in a collaborative effort with Guam CEDDERS, 
provided support to the GDOE State Systemic Improvement 
Plan (SSIP) teachers with a webinar conducted by the 
Learning A-Z, Director for International Academics and 
Curriculum, Jennifer Nigh. The first session on August 4, 
was for teacher coordinators and subsequent webinars were 
held on August 11 and 12 for all teachers. On August 11, the 
session was for M.U. Lujan and Juan M. Guerrero Elementary 
school teachers and the August 12 session was for Chief 
Brodie and Price Elementary school teachers. A total of more 
than 100 teachers attended over the scheduled three-day 
period. 

Learning A-Z’s leveled reading program, RAZ-Plus, was 
procured as a supplemental resource to improve reading 
proficiency. Research conducted by McREL on RAZ-Plus 
showed a strong correlation between reading achievement 
and motivation to read. During the hour-long webinars, Ms. 
Nigh presented SSIP teachers with an overview, highlighting 
various features, as well as, demonstrating what access to 
the platform by teachers, students, and families would look 
like. There is a need for the continuous strengthening of 
relationships between home and school—most especially 
during this time of social distancing. The RAZ-Plus home-
school connection feature acts as a conduit in maintaining 
communication. Specifically, RAZ-Plus builds that family 

(Continued on page 3) 


GDOE Provides SSIP Schools with RAZ-Plus 
Blended Literacy Tools (Cont.) 

connection using their online platform, in addition to, 
shared printed resources, and other shared types of family 
communication. 

In these unprecedented times, it is imperative to implement 
supplemental literacy resources that integrate seamlessly 
with GDOE’s three models of instruction: face-to-face, home 
packet, and distance online learning. RAZ-Plus resources 
are fully accessible in multiple types of formats: mobile, 
online, printable, and projectable learning. The home packet 
(hard copy) and online distance models are also supported 

through printable and downloadable leveled readers, as well 
as, uploading these resources into GDOE’s online Google 
Classroom platform. 

Throughout the interactive presentations, teachers 
provided continuous feedback. Attendees also noted their 
enthusiasm and excitement in the opportunity to utilize the 
RAZ-Plus literacy tools with their students. Moving forward, 
GDOE plans to continue to provide additional support to 
all teachers with webinars, small group training, and other 
technical assistance for all SSIP schools. 

RAZ Plus trainer, Jennifer Nigh, leading the interactive presentation. 

GDOE Provides SSIP Resource Room 
Teachers Support 

On August 6, August 21 and September 25 the Guam 
Department of Education’s (GDOE) Division of Special Education, 
in a collaborative effort with Guam CEDDERS, provided support 
to its State Systemic Improvement Plan (SSIP) resource room 
teachers. 

During the virtual sessions, a discussion regarding access to 
the universal screening data, aimswebPlus, was addressed. 
Resource room teachers received support in using aimswebPlus 
reading and math data to drive and inform Specially Designed 
Instruction (SDI). Dr. Nieves Flores, consultant with Guam 
CEDDERS, shared with teachers how to examine aimswebPlus 
math data for specific skills, using the student’s individual skills 
analysis report to give special education teachers the necessary 
tools and skills to set annual goals and positively impact student 
learning. 

It was determined that special education teachers would benefit 
from having continual access to the data for students with IEPs, in 
concurrence with general education teachers. Allowing special 
education teachers direct access to screening data, would inform 


SDI practices. SDI was further clarified as “unique” instruction 
and the guidance provided in the Considerations for Specially 
Designed Instruction from the Kansas State Department of 
Education document was reviewed and provided as a reference. 

Due to COVID-19, some challenges continue regarding the use of 
GDOE’s three adopted learning formats. Resource room teachers 
were asked which of the 3 models of instruction they felt most 
comfortable using. The respondents indicated the following: 
Face-to-Face instruction was ranked most comfortable, followed 
by the hard copy format, and online was indicated as the least 
comfortable format. Resource room teachers were asked 
how they can best be supported. The teachers responded by 
underscoring the importance of additional teaching resources 
to improve educational pedagogy. Also shared was the need 
to address and prioritize goals for students with special needs, 
most especially during this time, and how to provide them with 
support. Consideration of a child’s social-emotional needs, 
along with learner engagement is critical. It is necessary to work 
through these gradually with intention and purpose. 

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From EHDI Website 


GDOE Enhances Parent Coaching Practices 

On July 23, a training was held with GEIS service 
providers on parent coaching practices for ESDM. Left 
column, top to bottom: Dr. Laurie Vismara, Consultant; 
Sherry Cruz, GEIS service provider, GDOE; Grace 
Loyola, GEIS service provider, GDOE; Elizabeth Blas, 
GEIS Speech and Language Pathologist, GDOE; Right 
column, top to bottom: June De Leon, Interim Director, 
Guam CEDDERS; Josephine Cruz, Associate Director, 
Guam CEDDERS; Rita Rose Hualde, GEIS service 
provider, GDOE; Elaine Eclavea, Early Childhood 
Consultant, Guam CEDDERS; Bottom row, center: 
Gagee Parsons, GEIS service provider, GDOE. 

The Guam Department of Education (GDOE) in 
partnership with Guam CEDDERS supported training in 
parent coaching practices of the Early Start Denver Model 
(ESDM). The training provided support to Guam Early 
Intervention Systems (GEIS) providers in evidence-based, 
family-centered planning and coaching of naturalistic, 
developmental interactive strategies for accelerated 
learning in children with or at-risk of Autism Spectrum 
Disorder (ASD) for ages birth to three years old. Four 
virtual training workshops were held in the months of 
July through September. The training sessions were 
conducted by Dr. Laurie Vismara, a co-author of “An Early 

Start for Your Child with Autism”, a guide that provides 
doable, practical strategies for early intervention 
providers and families to use every day with their child 
with ASD. Dr. Vismara is also a researcher and licensed 
therapist who has spent her career working closely with 
families of children with ASD and contributing to the 
science and program development of the P-ESDM. The 
overarching goal of the training sessions was to provide 
GEIS service providers with the tools and strategies to 
support parents and families to help their child have 
enriched learning opportunities at home. 


GDOE Gears Up to Pilot the Group-Based 
Early Start Denver Model Preschool Program 

• B & MVIDEO 1:1 JAR 
On August 18, a virtual training was held on the implementation of the G-ESDM. Pictured left column, from top to bottom: 
Glorianna Guerrero, Preschool Teacher, GDOE; Josephine Cruz, Associate Director, Guam CEDDERS; Abby Marshall, G-ESDM 
Trainer, La Trobe University; Right column, from top to bottom: Nanette Magallanes, Paraprofessional, GDOE; and Nicole 
Duenas, Speech and Language Pathologist, GDOE. 

The Guam Department of Education (GDOE) in 
collaboration with Guam CEDDERS has partnered with 
La Trobe University in Australia to provide training 
and technical assistance in the implementation of 
the Group-based Early Start Denver Model (G-ESDM) 
preschool curriculum. The G-ESDM framework is 
an evidence-based early intervention approach for 
young children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) 
that capitalizes on the use of group settings and on 
the social interactions of peers to promote learning. 
The premise of the G-ESDM curriculum is to empower 
children with ASD by following their interests and 
providing a “scaffold” for their communication and 
interactions. In this approach, the child is viewed as 
both the artist and the painting, creating his or her 
own portrait of the world. 

The pilot program involved the participation of one of 
the district’s Special Education preschool classroom. 
The preschool classroom selected for the pilot project 
is comprised of typical students and students with ASD 
or a developmental disability. Participating in the pilot 
program are the classroom teacher, Glorianna Guerrero 
and her three paraprofessionals, Jonarie Cruz, Nanette 
Magallanes, Aurora Vitto as well as Speech and Language 
Pathologist, Nicole Duenas. Kristy Capes and Abby 
Marshall from La Trobe University are the lead trainers. 
Subsequent follow-up support will be provided by 
Josephine Cruz, Associate Director of Guam CEDDERS, 
Debra Whitt, Guam CEDDERS Training Associate, and 
Elaine Eclavea, Early Childhood consultant from Guam 
CEDDERS. Eight virtual training sessions were provided 
throughout the months of August and September. 


Resource Journals for GDOE, UOG, & GCC 
Students 

The Resource Journal was created from a need shared by Ms. Sallie Sablan, University of Guam (UOG) 
Senior Academic Counselor and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Specialist. According to Ms. 
Sablan, many UOG students shared that they are not aware of the supports and accommodation 
services, such as preferred seating at the front of the class or near exits, additional time not to exceed 
double the time by Professor for tests/exams, distraction-reduced room for testing, etc.. provided by 
the university for individuals with disabilities. In many instances, these students have failing grades 
or are on the verge of failing classes when soliciting her assistance for accommodative services. 

In response to this need, the University of Guam CEDDERS developed and produced the Resource 
Journal for distribution to senior level students with disabilities enrolled in the Guam Department 
of Education (GDOE), and college students at UOG, and the Guam Community College (GCC). The 
journal is a resource that provides useful information in the following areas: Emergency Preparation, 
Accommodations in Education, Medical Needs, Medical Contact List, Transportation, Employment, & 
Family Support. 

With collaborative efforts between GDOE Consulting Resource Teachers/Transition Teachers, UOG 
& GCC Counselors, and the University of Guam CEDDERS personnel, this initiative hopes to increase 
accommodation awareness and self-advocacy for students with disabilities to succeed academically 
as well as to live and work independently. 

On August 12, Christopher Gombar, Consulting Resource Teacher (CRT)/Transition Teacher, from Okkodu 
High School received Journals from Guam CEDDERS. The Journals are to be distributed to student with 
disabilities who are in their senior year of high school. 

On August 14, Evita Lujan-Espinosa (right), Consulting Resource 
Teacher (CRT)/Transition Teacher, from Tiyan High School 
received Journals and 2020-2021 Disabilities Directories from 
Michelle Aguigui (left), Associate Director, Guam CEDDERS. 

On July 02, John Payne, Accommodation’s 
Officer, Guam Community College (GCC) 
received Journals from Guam CEDDERS. 
The Journals are to be distributed to 
student with disabilities who are attending 
GCC. 



FSM Conducts Weekly Virtual Special 
Education Coordinators Meetings 

Kosrae State Team 
On August 14, the FSM Special Education Coordinators Meeting was held via Zoom Video Conferencing. Pictured top row L-R: Miyai Keller, FSM 
National Assessment and Data Coordinator; June De Leon, Guam CEDDERS Interim Director; John Bugulrow, Yap State Special Education Coordinator; 
Juan Hagilmwaal, Yap State Special Education Supervisor/Monitor; Cindy Saimon, FSM National Early Childhood Special Education Coordinator; 
Febronia Dinney, Chuuk State Project Literacy Intervention for FSM Leaders of Tomorrow (LIFT) Coach; Benedict Saipwerik, Chuuk State Acting 
Special Education Coordinator; Bottom row L-R: Roddy Robert, Pohnpei State Special Education Coordinator; Arthur Albert, FSM National Assistant 
Secretary; Augustine Bungmai, FSM National Monitor and Evaluator; Anseliter Fredrick, FSM National Fiscal Management Specialist. (Not Shown: 
Kosrae State Team) 


The Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) 
National Department of Education, Special 
Education Program facilitates weekly 
virtual FSM Special Education Coordinators 
Meeting to discuss program improvement 
priorities and implementation of special 
education and related services in the 
four FSM states: Chuuk, Kosrae, Pohnpei, 
and Yap. On August 14, Guam CEDDERS 
June De Leon provided technical support 
during their review of the Individuals with 
Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) Private 
School requirements. Meeting discussion 
focused on FSM’s guidance on the process 
and timelines for meeting the IDEA 
requirements for parentally-placed private 
school children with disabilities. 


Palau Continues TA Virtually 


In this new normal, the Republic of Palau (ROP) continues 
to report zero COVID-19 cases. This remarkable measure of 
success has been due to the Palauan community implementing 
immediate restrictions on incoming flights and increased 
awareness of the virus to gain community support for keeping 
everyone safe! This remarkable measure also meant that 
traditional on-site technical assistance and training activities 
stopped in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The 
health and safety measures put in place were key to ROP’s zero 
COVID-19 cases. Mesulang ( ‘Thank you’ in Palauan) ROP for 
your health and safety efforts in the interest of the well-being 
of your island nation. 

In this new normal, the ROP Ministry of Education, Special 
Education Program continues to explore ways for accessing 
much-needed technical assistance and training in support of 
their efforts to improve programs and services for students 
with disabilities. This exploration has shifted from on-site to 

On August 21, Guam CEDDERS June De Leon facilitated 
a Zoom video conferencing meeting with Palau’s Special 
Education Coordinator and Physical Therapy Assistant, with 
off-island Physical Therapy Consultant who have previously 
provided on-site consultation. The purpose for the call was to 
discuss Palau’s technical assistance needs for providing support 
to children with disabilities who require physical therapy 
services. Pictured top row L-R: Rene Ranola, Physical Therapy 
Consultant, Washington State; June De Leon, Guam CEDDERS 
Interim Director; Bottom row L-R: Mesikt Oderiong, Physical 
Therapy Assistant, ROP; Nora Renguul, Special Education 
Coordinator, ROP. 

off-site – virtual assistance. Guam CEDDERS June De Leon 
meets regularly via Skype with Nora Renguul, ROP Special 
Education Coordinator to prioritize the technical assistance 
and training activities to be delivered virtually via the Zoom 
videoconferencing platform. This mode of delivery is part of the 
new normal, and although a change from the familiar face-toface 
engagement (with some delicious bangus), it is a method 
that can provide the needed supports to improve programs and 
services in these new normal days. To date, virtual technical 
assistance has been provided to the ROP special education 
program personnel in areas of supports for children with 
visual impairments, speech-language services, assessments for 
determining eligibility, and assessment accommodations and 
implementation of an alternate assessment based on alternate 
achievement standards. Additional prioritized technical 
assistance and training support will be scheduled soon, 
including consultation on providing physical therapy services. 


NCSI Holds a ‘Meet and Greet’ with OSEP and 
Pacific Entities 

On August 5, as part of the NCSI Pacific Collaborative 
meeting, Pacific entity leaders had an opportunity 
to meet with key OSEP MSIP and RTP staff assigned 
to support the Pacific entities. Pictured top row/ 
first row L-R: Cesar D’Agord, Pacific Liaison, NCSI; 
June De Leon, Interim Director, Guam CEDDERS; 
Terese Crisostomo, Special Projects Coordinator, 
Division of Special Education, Guam; Second row 
L-R: Mari Shikuzawa, Program Associate, NCSI; 
Jana Rosborough, Senior Program Associate, NCSI; 
Donna Flores, Interim Director, Special Education 
Program, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana 
Islands (CNMI); Third row L-R: Sara Doutre, Senior 
Program Associate, NCSI; Charlie Kniseley, Guam 
State Lead, MSIP, OSEP; Josephine Cruz, Associate 
Director, Guam CEDDERS; Fourth row L-R: Christine 
Pilgrim, Associate Division Director, MSIP, OSEP; 
Arthur Albert, Assistant Secretary/Special Education 
Director, FSM; Lucille Sleger, CNMI and Marshall 
Islands State Lead, MSIP, OSEP; Fifth row L-R: Nora 
Renguul, Special Education Coordinator, Palau; Miles 
Kawatachi, Marshall Islands Consultant, Hawaii; 
Nora Fujihira, Program Manager, Special Education 
Program, CNMI; Sixth row L-R: Yolanda Gabriel, 
Assistant Superintendent/Special Education Director, 
Guam; Perry Williams, NCSI Project Officer, RTP, 
OSEP; Frank Horiuchi (not shown), Special Education 
Director, Marshall Islands; Seventh row/last row L-R: 
Genee Norbert (not shown), American Samoa, FSM, 
and Palau State Lead, MSIP, OSEP; Laura Taisipic, 
Parent Services Coordinator, Division of Special 
Education, Guam; Cathy Tydingco, Early Childhood 
Coordinator, Division of Special Education, Guam. 

As a follow-up to the October 2019 Pacific State Systemic 
Improvement Plan (SSIP) collaborative meeting held on Guam, 
the National Center for Systemic Improvement (NCSI), in 
collaboration with Guam CEDDERS, has been facilitating monthly 
Pacific SSIP Collaborative Zoom videoconferencing meetings 
with the six Pacific entity Special Education Directors and their 
teams. The purpose for the virtual meetings is to continue the 
technical support to further each entity’s SSIP efforts. With the 
impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on educational services, 
these sessions have provided an opportunity to learn from each 
other and the resources available through the NCSI. 

During the August 5 virtual session, NCSI hosted a “meet 
and greet” with personnel from the Monitoring and State 
Improvement Planning (MSIP) Division and the NCSI Project 
Officer from the Research to Practice (RTP) Division of the 

USDOE Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP). Not new 
to OSEP but new to the MSIP team that support the Pacific 
entities is Christine Pilgrim, Associate Division Director, MSIP. 
Ms. Pilgrim assumed the team lead role from our Pacific friend, 
Judy Gregorian, who retired earlier this year. Welcome to the 
Pacific region Christine!! 

The virtual “meet and greet” allowed regional special education 
leaders to share and receive feedback from OSEP regarding 
systems that are working well in their entity and areas in need of 
improvement. This virtual connection was a great opportunity 
for both regional and national leaders to collaborate and 
share ideas related to meeting the needs of students with 
disabilities and their families in these most unprecedented and 
extraordinary times. 


Eight Scholars Receive 
Master’s Degree in Speech Pathology 

Externships for Group 2 Scholars Re-Scheduled 

Navigating through the challenges and uncertainties presented 
by the COVID-19 pandemic has required unlimited patience, a 
positive attitude, and resiliency. These traits have definitely been 
required by the students who are part of the Educating Pacific 
Island Clinicians in Speech Pathology Project, better known 
as “EPICS.” EPICS is a personnel preparation project supported 
through funding from the U.S. Department of Education, Office 
of Special Education Programs (OSEP), awarded to San José 
State University (SJSU) in collaboration with Guam CEDDERS. 

Given all the challenges, the exciting news is that eight students 
in the program, referred to as “EPICS scholars,” have successfully 
met all the requirements for a Master of Arts Degree in Speech 
Language Pathology and earned their diplomas in mid-August. 
Receiving their degrees marks the culmination of five years of 
hard work and grit that for some 
started in June 2015. These eight 
scholars (see box to right) were 
members of the first group that went 
to San Jose, California in the summer 
of 2019 for their planned seven-
week Externship. Once they receive 
their official final transcripts, they 
will be eligible for employment as 
a Speech Language Pathologist and 
can begin their Clinical Fellowship 
(CF). The Clinical Fellowship 
experience consists of a minimum of 
1,260 hours of work experience and 
a minimum of 36 weeks of full-time 
or its part-time equivalent under a 
mentor who is certified by the American Speech and Hearing 
Association (ASHA), the national professional organization.. 
They then become eligible to apply for their Certificate of 
Clinical Competence (CCC) under ASHA and are eligible to apply 
for their local licensure to practice through the Guam Board of 
Allied Health Professionals (see related article on pages 12-13). 

Equally as exciting is that as of press time, five of the scholars 
have taken and passed the PRAXIS, the examination required 
for national certification by ASHA. The remaining scholars are 
scheduling their test dates for later in the year. 

Meanwhile, the nine scholars who were originally in the second 
group that was scheduled to complete their San Jose Externship 
this summer have had their targeted degree completion date 
derailed by COVID 19. In May they were given a choice to be 
scheduled for their Externship in San Jose during Summer 2021, 
a postponement of one full year or doing it in Guam Department 
of Education schools during the Fall 2020 semester. Six scholars, 
including the two from the Commonwealth of the Northern 
Mariana Islands, chose next summer while the remaining three 
scholars chose the Fall 2020 option. 

Then in mid-June, a new opportunity developed: a private clinic 
in Los Angeles, that was temporarily closed due to a surge in 
COVID 19 numbers, was set to re-open its door for services in 
July and the owner extended an invitation to Group 2. Given 

the timeframe, the scholars only had 
one week to make their decision. Dr. 
Pam Wiley, owner of the LA Speech 
and Language Therapy Center, is a 
former student of Dr. Gloria Wedington, 
SJSJ Professor Emerita, and a Program 
Coordinator for EPICS. Initially, all Group 
2 scholars declined, but then later, 
one took up the offer. After hurriedly 
making arrangements including getting 
a leave of absence approved by GDOE 
and coordinating a multitude of details, 
Meagan Terlaje arrived in California after 
a 16-hour journey on July 19 and started 
her placement the very next day (see 
related article on page 12). 

As of the printing of this article, the start of Fall 2020 semester 
Externship placements has been postponed due to an uptick 
of coronavirus numbers and the resulting re-institution of 
lockdown measures in Guam. It is anticipated that the Externship 
will formally begin once implementation of teletherapy starts 
by the Guam DOE in September. 

With the approval of a “no cost extension” year by the funding 
agency due to the pandemic, EPICS is formally set to continue 
until mid-August 2021 with end of project activities scheduled 
for that time. Stay tuned for more updates as they develop. 


EPICS Scholar Completes Los Angeles Externship 


Meagan Terlaje, EPICS Project Scholar, (foreground), is 
shown here with Dr. Pam Wiley, CCC-SLP, owner of the Los 
Angeles Speech and Language Therapy Center in Culver 
City, California. Meagan completed an seven-week Summer 
externship at the clinic as one of the requirements for her 
Master of Arts Degree in Speech and Language Pathology 
from San Jose State University. 

When the coronavirus pandemic hit the United States 
and Guam, so many planned events, sometimes events 
planned years in advance, had to be cancelled or 
postponed and sometimes re-configured. This was the 
case with the postponement of the much-anticipated 
seven-week Externship that was supposed to happen 
beginning in early June for the nine scholars in Group 2 of 
the Educating Pacific Island Clinicians in Speech Pathology 
(EPICS) Project. Closure of placement sites due to upticks 
in people testing positive for the virus was a harsh and 
frustrating reality, but a necessary one for the health and 
safety of all involved. For the EPICS scholars, some of 
whom had persevered for up to five years taking graduate 
courses while managing work and family obligations, the 
externship and program completion setback was a big, 
major disappointment. 

After considering as many options as possible to address 
the situation, Group 2 scholars were given two choices: 
complete externship in Guam during Fall 2020 or wait till 
Summer 2021. The scholars decided on what worked best 
for them and so new plans were set in May. 

But then a third opportunity developed in mid-June: 
placement at the Los Angeles Speech and Language 
Center, Inc. (LASLC, Inc.), in Culver City, California starting 
in July. For a range of reasons, this option was initially 
declined by all nine eligible scholars. But then one scholar 
decided to take the leap and opted to pursue this exciting 
opportunity. 

Meagan Terlaje, EPICS Project Scholar, (front row, fifth from left), is shown here with the staff of the Los 
Angeles Speech and Language Therapy Center in Culver City, California. Meagan completed an seven-
week externship on September 4th at the clinic as one of the requirements for her Master of Arts Degree in 
Speech and Language Pathology from San Jose State University. 


EPICS Scholar Completes Externship (Cont.) 

Meagan Terlaje, EPICS scholar, left, 
completed an seven-week externship under 
the supervision of Alaa Elogbi, CCC SLP, 
right. The two are shown in front Meagan’s 
Externship site, the Los Angeles Speech 
and Language Center Clinic in Culver City, 
California. At right is Alaa Elogbi, CCC SLP, 
Meagan’s externship supervisor. 

Meagan Terlaje figured she could make it work for 
her. Long story short, it took much coordination and 
legwork (and yes, luck!) to pull this all together in a 
very short period of time. Through the efforts of the 
EPICS Leadership team, Dr. Wendy Quach, SJSU EPICS 
Co-Principal Investigator, Dr. Gloria Weddington, SJSU 
Professor Emerita and EPICS Program Coordinator 
and Catherine Yuen Ying Lam, SJSU Grant Assistant, 
along with the extreme generosity of Dr. Pam Wiley, 
Owner of LASLC, Inc., and support from Jon Fernandez, 
Superintendent of the Guam Department of Education, 
where Meagan works as a fifth grade teacher, the 
placement was secured. 

And so after traveling for about 16 hours including a 
layover in Honolulu, Meagan arrived in Los Angeles at 
about 5am, July 19 and started her externship the very 
next day. 

Meagan’s last day at the clinic was on September 4th, 
and she couldn’t be happier with how the experience 
worked out for her. She shared that, “this wasn’t an easy 

decision for me to make, but it was definitely worth Meagan Terlaje, EPICS scholar, left, is shown with Alaa Elogbi, CCCSLP, 
her externship supervisor, practicing social distancing, one of the 

it. Everyone was so kind and welcoming despite this 

requirements under the COVID-19 safety protocol. 

unique and stressful situation. I’ve learned so much! I’m 
thankful for Dr. Wiley and for the opportunity she’s given 
me with this experience.” 



Tri-Agency Collaboration on Awareness & 
Advocacy 

Collaboration amongst the Tri-Agency partners – University of 
Guam Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UOG 
CEDDERS), Guam Developmental Disabilities Council (GDDC), and 
Guam Legal Services Corporation (GLSC) – Disability Law Center 

– is in full steam ahead with the various awareness and advocacy 
projects to celebrate the 30th Anniversary of the Americans with 
Disabilities Act (ADA). The #GuamADA30 was the anniversary 
kickoff project that was launched on July 26, 2020. It encourages 
everyone in the community to post on social media stories of how 
the ADA has impacted the life of an individual with a disability, as 
well as tag photos of a person, business, event, or organization 
helping to carry out the goals of the ADA. Other projects planned 
by the Tri-Agency are awareness and advocacy posters, videos that 
focus on the importance of voting and voting accommodations for 
individuals with disabilities, broadcasting of the film, “Lives Worth 
Living,” and other activities planned for the year-long celebration. 
The Tri-Agency is also collaboratively working to review the Tri-
Agency workplan to ensure that the activities that were developed 
and agreed upon are still relevant to the community we serve 
in light of the current pandemic situation. Workplan activities 
encompass topics in the areas of public awareness, education/ 
health, self-advocacy, assistive technology, and cross cutting areas. 
Joining forces is imperative as we strive to continue to fulfill the 
mission and serve individuals with disabilities and their families. 


A Tri-Agency meeting was held on July 31 at the GSAT 
Conference Room to discuss ADA 30th Anniversary activities and 
the Tri-Agency workplan. Meeting attendees were Carol Cabiles, 
Program Coordinator, Guam Legal Services Corporation – 
Disability Law Center; Jermaine Alerta, Executive Director, Guam 
Developmental Disabilities Council; Michelle Aguigui, Associate 
Director, Guam CEDDERS. 

Remember to use #ADA30guam 

On social media, share a story that shows how the ADA has impacted your life. Tag 
photos of a person, business, event, or organization helping to carry out the goals 
of the ADA such as: 

-accessible spaces open to the public 
-the use of sign language interpreters 
-Braille signage 
-places employing individuals with disabilities 



Guam EHDI Partners Continue Services 

Saipan EHDI 
Guam EHDI would like to thank our hearing screening partners 
at the birthing centers, Guam Memorial Hospital Authority 
and the Sagua Mañagu Birthing Center for their continued 
efforts in screening babies for hearing loss prior to discharge 
from their respective birthing sites! Despite all the challenges 
presented by the COVID 19 pandemic, on July 22, GMHA 
Nursing Supervisors, Avelina “Bing” Opena and Maria Victoria 
“Marivic” Guiao met via Zoom, with the Guam EHDI coordinator 
to discuss the results of the Hearing Screening Compliance 
Survey conducted by EHDI staff. The discussion focused on the 
strengths and weaknesses of screeners and the training needs 
for hearing screening staff. The Guam EHDI staff will coordinate 
the scheduling of training activities with GMHA supervisors as 
new hearing screeners come on board. 

Although many island services slowly reopened in June with 
the decline in COVID-19 positive cases, the opportunity to 
provide outpatient rescreens for infants needing this followup 
service continued to be suspended. Guam EHDI and its 
partners have kept communication lines open for discussions 
on how to provide the much-needed follow-ups while ensuring 
infants and families are safe! Plans and protocols are in place 
to provide 6-month follow-up hearing rescreens for High-Risk 
infants at Dean’s Circle, House 21, once all Personal Protective 
equipment (PPE) are received, and the University of Guam 
resumes face to face services. 

Guam’s Positive Parents Together (GPPT) continues to provide 

On August 7, a virtual meeting was facilitated 
by Candace Lindow-Daves, Hands & Voices, 
Minnesota, Director of Outreach (First column, 
first person pictured) and Vicki Hunting, Hands & 
Voices, Guest Facilitator (First column, third person 
pictured). The topic of discussion “Family Support 
Program Essentials” led by Vicki Hunting focused 
on ways to track the number of families enrolled in 
the family to family support by six months of age. 
Meeting attendees were from the Saipan EHDI, 
American Samoa EHDI, Marshall Islands EHDI, and 
Guam EHDI. 

Family to Family Support to parents of children identified with a 
hearing loss. They connect and provide resources to the families 
and the Deaf Adult community on Guam using WhatsApp and 
Email. GPPT, in collaboration with Guam EHDI, is discussing 
options for providing a virtual platform for families to connect, 
meet, and attend workshops. 

A virtual meeting, held on August 7, was facilitated by Hands & 
Voices (H & V) Director of Outreach, Candace Lindow-Davies and 
guest facilitator, Vicki Hunting, a parent of a DHH young adult as 
well as a Quality Improvement Advisor and Data and Evaluation 
expert with H & V, Iowa, for the Pacific Islands EHDI Programs 
and DHH Families from Guam, Saipan, American Samoa, and the 
Marshall Islands to discuss “Family Support Program Essentials.” 
The discussion led by Vicki Hunting highlighted how family-
based organizations would collect data to report to the EHDI 
Program. The EHDI Program requires family-based organizations 
to report an increase of 20% the number of families enrolled in 
the family to family support by six months of age. As a result 
of this discussion, four states came together to pull data on 
babies born in August and September to see how to track them 
and use this first year to create a baseline. She shared that a 
sophisticated tracking for enrollment is not necessary. Guam 
EHDI partners are dedicated to developing an effective process 
to connect families of newly identified infants with a hearing 
loss to GPPT’s DHH Parent Support Group! 


Webinars Offered to the Community 


On August 13, Leah Abelon, GSAT Center Coordinator 
conducted a Virtual Webinar, “Creating Accessible 
Documents,” where 80 individuals from various agencies 
and the general public registered. As information 
is now being delivered electronically, it is essential 
that individuals with disabilities have access to digital 
information. The webinar offered tips and guides to assist 
service providers in creating documents that are readable 
for individuals with disabilities. It covered topics such as 
the importance of including a document title, filename, 
headings, lists, accessible tables and links, alternative text, 
and distinguishing appropriate color contrast and running 
the accessibility checker. 

UOG Social Work Professors Orientate Agency 
Field Instructors in Preparation for Student Interns 


On August 24, Dr. Lisa Natividad (2nd row, 3rd person pictured) and Dr. Tressa Diaz (not shown), University of Guam (UOG) professors from the 
College of Social Work, facilitated an orientation with field instructors from various government, private, and non-profit agencies in preparation for 
Social Work intern students to begin a year-long practicum internship with their placement agencies. Topics discussed were learning contracts, 
schedules, and project accommodations due to the current pandemic situation. 


Project Bisita I Familia Holds A Large Group 
Stakeholder Meeting 


On August 14, Project Bisita I Familia held a large group stakeholder input meeting with various agencies, programs, 
and parents to review data collected for the updated Needs Assessment. 


Features: GSAT Assistive Technology 
Equipment 


EXPLORĒ 8 

The Explorē 8 is a Touchscreen HD handheld 
magnifier for active people who prefer a large 
screen but still want maximum portability. It is 
smaller, lighter and more affordable than most 
7-inch magnifiers on the market while providing a 
screen more than 30% larger, designed to make life 
easier—and a whole lot clearer. 

JULIET 120 

The Juliet 120 is a powerful and 
portable Braille printer. When loaded 
with fan-folded paper, the Juliet 120 
produces interpoint braille. It is capable 
of printing 120 characters per second. 


FOCUS 14 

The Focus 14 Blue 5th Generation is a compact and 
robust 14-cell Braille Display drop tested to MILSTD-
810G and ready to go with you anywhere. It 
features a comfortable user-friendly 8-dot keyboard 
and Bluetooth 4.1 and USB-C connectivity so that 
you can switch between five connected devices. 
Use it with your smartphone, tablet, or laptop, or 
use the built-in Scratchpad to take notes on the 
fly…perfect for your active lifestyle. 


GUAM CEDDERS WELCOMES NEW STAFF 
For more information on any of these events, 
please call 735-2479 or visit www.guamcedders.org 

GUAM CEDDERS WELCOMES NEW STAFF 

We are pleased to introduce Mrs. Debra Whitt who has 
recently joined University of Guam CEDDERS as a Training 
Associate. 

Mrs. Whitt graduated from the University of Guam with 
a Bachelor’s degree in Special Education and received a 
Masters degree in Education from the University of Portland. 
Prior to joining UOG CEDDERS, Mrs. Whitt worked with the 
Guam Department of Education as a Special Education and 
General Education teacher. Mrs. Whitt brings with her more 
than 28 years of education experience and expertise. 

Welcome aboard, Mrs. Whitt! 

26TH 
ANNUAL 
GUAM 
SYSTEM 
FOR 
ASSISTIVE 
TECHNOLOGY 
VIRTUAL 
CONFERENCE 


Creating 


OPPORTUNITIES 


in a changing worldin a changing worldinachangingworld
November 
6 
and 
November 
13, 
2020 
10 
a.m. 
12 
p.m. 
Via 
Zoom 


Please 
register 
here: 
http://bit.ly/gsatvirtualconference 



For 
more 
information 
or 
to 
request 
for 
reasonable 
accommodations, 
please 
contact 
the 
Guam 
System 
for 
Assistive 
Technology 
at 
735-2490 
or 
email 
gsat@guamcedders.org, 
or 
visit 
the 
GSAT 
website 
at 
https://www.gsatcedders.org 


Open 
your 
cameraapp 
and 
point 
here 
to 
REGISTER 



These 
events 
are 
fundedby 
the 
U.S. 
Departmentof 
Health 
andHumanServices, 
Administration 
for 
Community 
Living, 
grant 
# 
GUATSG-02, 
through 
supportto 
the 
Guam 
Tri Agency: 
GuamCenter 
forExcellence 
inDevelopmental 
Disabilities 
Education,Research,andService(GuamCEDDERS);GuamDevelopmentalDisabilitiesCouncil;andGuamLegalServicesCorporation-DisabilityLawCenter. 
TheUniversityofGuamisanequalopportunityproviderandemployer. 



University of Guam 
Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities 
Education, Research, & Service (Guam CEDDERS) Newsletter 

Guam CEDDERS 
Office of Graduate Studies, 
Sponsored Programs, & Research 
University of Guam 
303 University Drive 
Mangilao, Guam 96913 
Phone: (671) 735‐2480/1 
Fax: (671) 734‐5709 
TTY: (671) 734‐6531 
Email: june.deleon@guamcedders.org 

I Tellai is a quarterly publication of Guam CEDDERS. 
Interim Director: June De Leon 
Editors: Michelle Aguigui, & Vera Blaz, 
Layout & Design: Zachary Hecita 

This issue of I Tellai was made possible by contributions from 
the following Guam CEDDERS staff members/consultant: Leah 
Abelon, Michelle Aguigui, Jenika Ballesta, Terrie Fejarang, 
Josephine Cruz, June De Leon, Keith Villaluna, and Debra 
Whitt. 

Alternative formats (e.g. Braille or large print) of I Tellai will be 
made available upon request. 

Please contact Zachary Hecita at (671) 735‐2455 (v), (671) 
735‐6531 (TTY), or (671) 734‐5709 (fax) for more information. 

The University of Guam is an equal opportunity provider and employer. 

This newsletter was produced with 100% funding support from the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, Administration on Intellectual and Developmental 
Disabilities, Grant No. 90DDUC0064-02-01 and facilitated by the University of Guam Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities Education, Research, and 
Service (Guam CEDDERS). This report is also available online and in alternate formats at www.guamcedders.org. 

The University of Guam is an equal opportunity provider and employer.